CHIA Shengyou, Edwin

Our People

CHIA Shengyou, Edwin

Partner

Edwin is in the firm’s Dispute Resolution team and Family Law practice team. His practice areas encompass a broad range of matters, including civil and commercial litigation, disciplinary proceedings, shareholders disputes, employment matters, and defamation. He also regularly advises clients on wills and probate, lasting power of attorney, application under the Mental Capacity Act and contentious probate.

He has been involved in matters at all levels of the Singapore Courts (including the Court of Appeal), and has acted as lead counsel in matters before the High Court of Singapore and disciplinary tribunals (as prosecuting counsel).

Notable cases and reported judgments include:

Then Khek Khoon and another v Arjun Permanand Samtani and another [2012] 2 SLR 451: Application to restrain a law firm from acting for the counterparty

Wong Swee Hor v Tan Jip Seng and others [2015] 1 SLR 929: For a declaration that one is a lawful wife pursuant to section 181 of the Women’s Charter

Acted for a Indonesian businessman in a complex dispute with Asia’s leading oil and gas logistics company in multiple Suits involving 9 sets of solicitors

Acted for a client to resist an application for stay of a winding up proceedings pending the determination of an alleged cross-claim

Acting for a Hong Kong company in various Court proceedings (including applications for injunction and stay of Court proceedings in favour of arbitration) and arbitration proceedings against subsidiaries of a Singapore listed company

Areas of Focus

Probate

Losing a loved one is never easy and as the legal process of obtaining the Court’s grant to administer the estate of your loved one differs depending whether the person left a will or not, our team will assist you in obtaining a Grant of Probate (where there is a will) or Letters of Administration (where there is no will). We help to ensure that the entire process is as fuss-free and smooth sailing as possible.

A Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration is required in order for the estate to be administered and distributed by the executor or administrator. The distribution will either be in accordance with the terms of the will, or if there is no will, in compliance with Singapore law. If necessary, after the Grant is obtained, we can assist clients with calling in the assets. Such assets include real property, bank accounts and shares in private and public companies.

We also regularly assist foreign clients in resealing a foreign Grant which has been obtained in a commonwealth country (e.g. Malaysia and Hong Kong) in the Singapore courts. This authorises and enables the foreign clients to deal with the deceased’s assets in Singapore.

In cases where a client domiciled in Singapore has assets elsewhere in the world, we can tap on our network of international partner firms to assist in dealing with such assets.

Wills and Trusts

Having a will enables one to go further than just providing for one’s family at present. It ensures that upon one’s demise, the selected people will get the amount dictated, and the appointed person will be put in charge of the assets to distribute them according to one’s wishes.

Making a will need not be difficult nor time consuming. Our fast track wills system eases the will-making process, making it focused on addressing the requirements of our clients in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

Nonetheless, we are mindful that each will is unique and has to be tailored to the specific needs of the client. Clients are therefore invited to discuss their plans with us so that we can ensure their will covers the different classes of assets and beneficiaries in accordance with their wishes.

We also regularly advise and assist clients with the setting up of trusts for various purposes, ranging from protection of assets from creditors to ring-fencing the assets from probate proceedings.

Professional Liability

In today’s business environment, it is important for professionals to make independent decisions and exercise greater judgement amidst heightened liability concern. To achieve this, our team is able to provide sound advice to professionals in respect of their professional duties as well as personal matters. We regularly appear at every level of the Singapore Courts, conduct disciplinary proceedings, and are experienced in all forms of dispute resolution. We have significant experience in this arena including successfully defending our clients in a claim against their professional advisers for professional negligence.

Employment disputes

Employment disputes are usually sensitive in nature, emotionally charged and can affect the reputation of the parties involved.

While knowledge of the applicable employment laws and regulations is important, we recognise that empathy is key to being effective in this area of practice and we have considerable experience advising a range of clients, including listed and private companies and directors, on a spectrum of employment disputes, such as breaches of contract, wrongful dismissals, breach of fiduciary duties, and the enforcement of non-compete covenants.

Matrimonial and Family Disputes

When dealing with matrimonial and family issues, our dispute resolution lawyers are well trained in the particular skill set and distinct sensitivity required in helping clients deal with the choices and possibilities faced. Our team of lawyers are experienced in the law and practice, including dealing with financial implications, and procedures following a separation or divorce. We are attentive to the sensitivities of family relationships, and are able to provide clear guidance and advice to protect our client’s interests through court proceedings where necessary.

General Litigation

Our general litigation practice is primarily business-oriented and involves most types of civil litigation. Our dispute resolution lawyers assist corporate and private clients in their claims and disputes arising from areas such as company law, defamation, and intellectual property on top of others mentioned.

The Arbitration team has extensive experience in handling a wide range of arbitral matters under the rules of major international arbitration institutions including the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), the Kuala Lumpur Regional Centre for International Arbitration (KLRCA), Hong Kong International Arbitration Center (HKIAC) and other notable arbitral institutions.

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